miRNAs provide mechanisms for integrated control of endocrine pancreas homeostasis and metabolic disease pathogenesis: a narrative review

Abstract

Background and Objective: microRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that have emerged to be the novel post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, contributing to the development of metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Also, new and more precise high-throughput analytical tools have made it possible to study miRNAs' complex causative roles and targets. Here, we summarise the available evidence for the roles of miRNAs in the endocrine pancreas regulating fundamental cellular processes in beta-cells and the pathology of diabetes.Methods: We searched PubMed for research conducted and published before June 2022 using classical Boolean expressions. Only manuscripts written in English were considered.Key Content and Findings: Numerous miRNAs in the endocrine pancreas have been reported to regulate the fundamental cellular processes in beta-cells, such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and insulin biosynthesis and secretion by post-transcriptionally repressing their targets, as well as contributing to the pathology of diabetes. Also, many miRNAs, as molecular cargo of exosomes-mediate the crosstalk between the pancreas and other peripheral organs, unravelling new pathophysiological mechanisms related to the onset and worsening of diabetes.Conclusions: This review summarised the existing evidence of the complex network of miRNAs regulating the endocrine pancreas function and pathology of diabetes, providing the theoretical base for a future scientific study revealing the mechanism of diabetes and facilitating the discovery of new therapeutical targets in clinical practise.